Under 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to increase availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies points to patients may see weight return a year later of halting the medication, because their usual appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
